In-Depth Analysis

Chicago and Cook County Paid Sick Leave Ordinances: A Differential Diagnosis of Final Implementing Rules

As most employers in the “Chicagoland” area are hopefully already aware, both Chicago and Cook County have enacted paid sick leave (PSL) ordinances that go into effect July 1, 2017. Although the two ordinances are remarkably similar as written, the two jurisdictions have interpreted some portions of the ordinances in a different manner. Cook County’s Interpretative and Procedural Rules went into effect on May 25, 2017. Chicago’s rules were finalized June 28, 2017. Fortunately, Chicago significantly changed some of its draft rules, and clarified others. Although there are still some differences in interpretation between Chicago and Cook County, those differences are much more manageable than under Chicago’s draft rules. FordHarrison partners Kimberly Ross and Craig Thorstenson have written the article Chicago and Cook County Paid Sick Leave Ordinances - A Differential Diagnosis of Final Implementing Rules that discusses the main points of the ordinances and their implementing rules.